Skype and Boingo announce VoIP partnership

Skype International and Boingo Wireless have announced a partnership that will allow users to access Skype's VoIP technology from 18,000 Wi-Fi hot spots worldwide.

Available in coffee shops, book stores and hotels, as well as other public places, Skype Zones powered by Boingo are geared not only toward business travellers and students but also toward any wireless user in search of cheap international calling, Skype spokesperson Kelly Larabee said.

Skype Zones offer VoIP users unlimited access to Boingo's public broadband for US$7.95 per month. Also, infrequent users can pay $2.95 for a two hour connection, the companies said in a press release.

The version of the product that is currently available on the companies' websites is a beta one, however, and the company pointed out that prices and availability may change before the final version is released.

Luxembourg-based Skype International's existing offers will remain, Larabee added. The company gives users the ability to make free calls to other Skype users over the Internet and also allows its customers to make VoIP calls to traditional fixed line and mobile networks at significantly reduced rates.

The VoIP industry is young but growing rapidly -- Skype claimed that as of June 22 its 43 million user base is growing by 140,000 users a day.